Preparation for Active Service Again - Brigaded
with Colored Troops - Embarking for New Orleans - Arrival at Barrancas,
Fla. - Prison Veterans Rejoin from Furlough - Pensacola - Fort
Blakely Invested - The Charge and Capture - Up the Alabama River
- Selma - Return to Mobile - Explosion of Rebel Ammunition - Ordered
to Texas - Arrival at Galveston - Mustered Out of the 83d Ohio
- The Old 48th Ohio Itself Again - Ordered to Houston - Break-Bone
Fever - Back to Galveston - Promotions - On Various Duties - Final
Muster-Out - Arrival at Columbus - Home and a Quiet Life - Reid's
History of the 48th Ohio - Testimonials of Brigade and Division
Commanders.

THE incidents and adventures of the Regiment, from the consolidation
until the close of the war and final muster-out, were furnished
by Lieut. James Douglas, of Mt. Auburn, Cincinnati, who was a
member of the Regiment, and served the entire term.

"Immediately after the consolidation, the Regiment was
brigaded with the 77th and 58th U. S. Colored Troops, and went
into camp on the Quitman farm, back of the city, under command
of Brig. Gen. Davidson. On the 28th of January, orders came to
break camp and embark on the steamer Grey Eagle. This was accomplished
by midnight. The following day found us going down the Mississippi,
en route for New Orleans. On the 30th we disembarked at the lower
part of the city, near the Lake Pontchartrain depot. We boarded
the train, which took us to Lakeport. There we embarked on the
ocean steamer "Alabama," and midnight of the same day
found our vessel steaming down Lake Pontchartrain. On the 31st,
we passed through Lake Borgne, thence into Mississippi Sound,
making a short stop at Pensacola, Fla. From there into the Gulf,
finally landing at Barrancas, opposite Ft. Pickens, Fla., on the
1st day of February, at which place we disembarked and went into
camp, forming a part of the 3d Brigade, 2d Division 13th A. C.,
which composed a part of the right wing of the army moving against
the defenses of Mobile. The Brigade was commanded by Col. F. W.
More, of the 83d Ohio, which left Lieut. Col. W. H. Baldwin in
command of the Regiment. We remained at Barrancas, Fla., some
time, organizing and preparing for an active campaign. While here,
the Prison Veterans rejoined from their furlough, and were assigned
to their respective companies, under the new organization.

"On the 10th of March, we broke camp and marched around
a portion of Pensacola Bay, to Pensacola, where we arrived the
same day and went into camp near the railroad. We remained in
camp until the 20th of February, when we again took up the line
of march, moving up the Montgomery railroad, through the pine
swamp, in a northerly direction. The campaign will be remembered
by those engaged in it, as it differed from any previous one,
The route lay through almost impassable pine swamps, The men carried
80 rounds of ammunition, an ax to every fourth man, an extra pair
of shoes, and ten days' rations each. The ground was of a quicksand
nature, and we were frequently obliged to pull wagons and mules
out with long ropes. We cut down trees, and built miles of corduroy
roads at the worst places. It was slow marching, with constant
fatigue duties, lasting far into the night. To make matters worse,
the first night out from Pensacola, a violent rain-storm set in,
damaging the provisions we carried, and after our ten days were
up we were placed on one-fourth rations.

"On the 26th our advance met the enemy at Escambia river,
defeating them, and capturing 120 rebels and the rebel Gen. Clayton,
who was wounded. We captured Pollard also, a railroad junction,
two trains of cars, a rebel paymaster, and some more prisoners.
After this our route lay due west, but the roads were not much
better. We arrived at Stockton on the 31st of March, and the 2d
of April found us driving the rebel skirmishers into their works
at Fort Blakely, Ala.

It was a beautiful day. The troops were all brought to the
front, and preparations made for a charge. We formed en masse,
one brigade directly in the rear of the other, thus forming a
solid column. Extra ammunition was distributed, and the musicians
were formed into a hospital corps, with stretchers. In this position
we stacked arms, under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy.

"While thus waiting in suspense, an order came to change
our position, and towards evening our Division moved to the left,
in the woods, occupying the center of the army. The following
day we began to invest Fort Blakely, driving the enemy closer
to their works, our Regiment taking a position in a ravine, where
we remained until the final charge, in the meantime performing
constant fatigue and picket duty, resembling those duties at Vicksburg,
only we were not so well protected.

"On the 9th of April we were formed in line of battle
in our rifle-pits. One regiment from each brigade was selected
to deploy as skirmishers; our Regiment being selected from our
brigade. Owing to the formation of the ground, we marched left
in front. It was a grand sight to see the vast army, prepared
for a charge. Word was passed along the line for the skirmishers
to advance at the bugle signal, and the main line to advance,
if necessary, when the bugle sounded. We advanced in skirmish
order, a distance of 500 yards, under a heavy fire of artillery,
and a musketry cross-fire, over fallen timber, sunken torpedoes,
and a double line of strong abattis works, going through and over
the rebel forts, in the face of a deadly fire, without the assistance
of the reserve, although they were ready to support us if we failed.
The rebel gunners left some of their pieces partly loaded. Some
of the rebels surrendered and others fled. The Regiment captured
two forts, eight cannon, two mortars, a long line of breastworks,
eight hundred prisoners, two flags, and a large quantity of small
arms, ammunition and other stores. The colors were riddled, both
staffs were shot in two, but the color-bearers gallantly carried
the flags over the parapet of the fort. The Regiment lost 36 officers
and men, in killed and wounded.

"This victory gave us possession of Mobile and its defenses,
and cut the Confederacy in two. We remained at Fort Blakely until
the 20th of April, when we embarked and moved across to Mobile,
at which place we formed a part of a fleet moving up the Alabama
river. The army was divided into three columns, the 16th Corps
and Grierson's cavalry moving north from Fort Blakely to Montgomery,
Ala., Gen. Benton's Division, 13th A. C., moving north up the
railroad, and our Division, under Gen. Anderson, and Hawkins'
Colored Division, moving up the river in a fleet of transports.
Our Regiment embarked seven companies on the "Gov. Cowels,"
and the other three on the "St. Charles," the latter
a rebel blockaderunner.

"We had a very pleasant time going up the river. We were
allowed plenty of liberty, the country was rich in provisions,
and we made use of it. We were fired into once, and retaliated.
This was the last time the Regiment was fired at. On the 27th
of April we reached Selma, Ala., and went into camp near the grave-yard,
just inside the rebel works. The cavalry, under Gen. Wilson, had
previously captured the place and destroyed a vast amount of ordnance
stores and manufactories.

"We were in Selma until the 12th of May, when we embarked
on the steamer "John H. Groesbeck," and proceeded to
Mobile. We performed provost-duty at that place for some time.
On the 2d of May, the Governor promoted Lieut. McCaffrey to Captain,
and Second Lieut. J. M. Wilson to First Lieutenant. During our
stay the rebel ammunition stored near the depot exploded, which
caused much damage to property and the loss of many lives, some
of our Regiment among the number.

"On the 13th of June, the Regiment embarked on the ocean
steamer "J. T. Rice," with orders to proceed to Texas.
We passed Forts Morgan and Gaines, thence into the Gulf of Mexico,
encountering some storms, and arriving at Galveston, Texas, on
the 18th. After disembarking, we camped in the public square,
but shortly afterward broke camp. Each company was assigned to
different parts of the city, occupying dwelling-houses for quarters.
Soon after arriving at Galveston, an order was received, to muster
out all troops whose term of service expired previous to October
1st, 1865. Under this order the original 83d 0. V. I. was mustered
out July 2 6th, 1865, when they departed for home. Under this
order also, quite a number of the 48th were discharged, and at
the same time we received accessions from other regiments, of
men whose term of service did not expire with their regiments.

"Under Special Orders No. 48, 13th A. C., dated July 19,
1865, the Regiment resumed its old name of 48th Ohio Vet. Vol.
Infantry, and was placed under command of Capt. J. R. Lynch, afterward
promoted to Lieut.-Col. Lieut. W. H. H. Rike was assigned as Adjutant,
Lieut. W. J. Srofe as Quartermaster, Surgeon P. A. Willis as Surgeon,
and H. Baird as Ass't Surgeon. The latter was from the 114th Ohio.
Serg't James Douglas was appointed Serg't.-Major, and William
C. Edwards was appointed Hospital Steward. Ass't. Surgeon C. H.
Wiles and Lieut. Reed were discharged the latter part of July.

"On the 2d day of August, a portion of the Regiment embarked
and proceeded to Houston, Texas, by way of Buffalo Bayou. The
remaining companies followed soon after, by way of Trinity river.
Arriving at Houston, we relieved the 34th Iowa, who were to be
mustered out. Lieut.-Col. Lynch relieved Col. Clark as Commander
of the Post. Lieut. McCaffrey was appointed Post-Adj't. and Lieut.
Srofe, Post-Quartermaster.

"The Regiment was now sent by companies to various towns
on the railroads running into Houston. Capt. Cochran, with Company
C, was stationed at Columbia, on the Brazos river, 85 miles from
Houston. While stationed there they buried the brother of President
Johnson, who had been fatally injured while boating. The company
also lost two of its men from malarial fever.

"During the summer the Regiment suffered from break-bone
fever, causing many to be sick. At one time it was difficult to
provide guards for duty. It was not, however, fatal to any of
them.

"On the 28th of October, we were relieved from duty at
Houston, and ordered to relieve the 24th Ind. Vet. Vols. from
duty at Galveston, who were then being mustered out of service.
In due time we reached Galveston, and took possession of their
comfortable quarters.

"From the time the Regiment returned to Galveston, in
October, 1865, until our muster-out, we performed all kinds of
garrison duty, and the officers were more or less on detached
service, but we were not well satisfied with our situation or
treatment, for we felt that we were detained in the service longer
than was actually necessary. In fact, many expressed themselves
in such a way as to leave no doubt of the feelings of the Regiment.

"On the 23d of April, we received orders for our final
muster-out, which was completed, so that we were enabled to leave
Galveston on the 11th day of May, 1866, arriving at Columbus,
Ohio, May 21st, 1866."

Thus ended the existence of the 48th Ohio Vet. Vol. Infantry,
after a service of nearly five years, having traveled during that
time through eight Southern States, a distance by land and water
of eleven thousand five hundred miles, and being next to the last
Ohio Infantry Regiment discharged from the service.

The following is what Reid says of the 48th Ohio, in "Ohio
in the War:"

"This Regiment was organized at Camp Dennison on the 17th
of February, 1862, and soon after reported to Gen. W. T. Sherman,
at Paducah, Kentucky. After a short rest at Paducah, it moved
up the Tennessee River, on the steamer Empress, and on the 19th
of March disembarked at Pittsburg Landing. On the 4th of April,
while the regiment was on drill, firing was heard, and the 48th
at once moved in the direction of the sound; but the enemy fell
back, and at night-fall the regiment returned to its quarters.
About 7 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, the regiment advanced
upon the enemy, and was soon warmly engaged. Charge after charge
was repulsed, and though the rebel fire was making fearful gaps
in the line, the men stood firm. A battery was sent to the regiment's
aid, but after firing four shots, it retired. The rebels then
advanced, confidently expecting to capture the regiment, but were
driven back, and the 48th withdrew to its supports, having been
ordered three times by Gen. Sherman to fall back. It is claimed
that Gen. Johnston, of the rebel army, was killed in this portion
of the battle, by some member of the 48th. The regiment was actively
engaged during the remainder of the day, and late in the afternoon,
in connection with the 24th Ohio and 36th Indiana, it participated
in a decisive attack on the rebel lines. It acted throughout in
Buckland's Brigade of Sherman's Division - a Brigade which had
no share in the early rout of a part of that Division.

"On the second day of the battle, about 10 o'clock A.
M., the regiment went into action across an open field, under
a galling fire, and continued constantly exposed until the close
of the engagement. The 48th lost about one-third of its members
in this battle. From this time until after the close of the Rebellion,
the regiment was engaged continually in active duty. In the attack
upon Corinth, the 48th was among the first organized troops to
enter the rebel works. In Gen. Sherman's first expedition to Vicksburg,
it occupied, with credit, a position on the right in the assault;
and it was in Sherman's expedition up the Arkansas River, that
it distinguished itself in the battle of Arkansas Post. It was
with Grant during his Vicksburg campaign; fought at Magnolia Hills
and Champion Hills, and participated in a general assault on the
rebel works in the rear of Vicksburg, May 22d, 1863.

"On the 25th of June following, another assault was made
upon the same works, and the 48th was ordered to cross an open
field, exposed to two enfilading batteries, to take position in
the advanced line of rifle-pits, and to pick off the enemy's gunners..
This order was successfully executed. It took a prominent part
in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and soon after engaged
in the fight at Bayou Teche. At Sabine Cross-Roads, the 48th,
then a mere remnant of its former self, severely punished the
"Crescent Regiment;" but in turn it was overpowered
and captured. It was not exchanged until October, 1864.

"The majority of the men in the regiment reenlisted, but
on account of the capture, they never received their veteran furlough.
After its exchange, the regiment shared in the capture of Mobile.

"After the surrender of the rebel armies, the remaining
one hundred and sixty-five men of this regiment were ordered to
Texas. The regiment was at last mustered out of service in May,
1866."

The following testimonials were received from our Division
and Brigade Commanders, in regard to the conduct of the 48th while
under their immediate command:

"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE UNITED
"STATES, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
"March 26th, 1880.

"Maj. J. A. Bering and Capt. Thomas Montgomery:

"DEAR SIRS: - I am really indebted to you for the pleasure
of having the opportunity to read your beginning of the "History
of the Forty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry," and wish to
encourage you to go on in the same spirit to the end.

"I recognize in every page that the writer was one of
us, that he saw with the eyes of a brave, intelligent soldier,
who meant to do his full share of work, and who now only intends
to record his observations for the use of his comrades, and to
furnish authentic materials for the future historians of the great
events in which the 48th Ohio bore an honorable part.

"I prefer not to be a critic, to alter or change a single
paragraph, because I believe the great end at which we all aim,
Truth, is best reached by each witness telling his own story in
his own way.

"War consists not only in absolute facts, which ought
to be absolutely correct, but in feelings and opinions at the
moment of action, because these account for results. I advise
you to go on to the conclusion in the same spirit you began, and
I am sure your comrades will be grateful, and the cause for which
we fought will be vindicated by future generations.

"With great respect, your friend,
"W. T. SHERMAN, General,"

------------------------

"WASHINGTON, D. C., April 7, 1880.

"Maj. J. A. Bering and Capt. Thomas Montgomery:

"GENTLEMEN: - I have received your letter of the 1st inst.,
also the one hundred pages of your History of the 48th Ohio has
come to hand, and been read with a great deal of interest, as
far as it is continued. My old Brigade, consisting of the 48th,
53d, 70th and 72d Regiments Ohio Volunteer Infantry, I had always
regarded as equal, in all respects, to any brigade I ever met
with. It affords me great pleasure to say, that during the time
the regiment was in my command, its conduct was excellent. Indeed
it has afforded me a great pleasure, at all times, to speak in
terms of high commendation of the officers and men of the 48th.
The discipline and general conduct of the Regiment was good, and
my personal relations with them, the officers and men, were of
such a character that it has always been a sincere pleasure to
me to meet one of them.

"GENTLEMEN: - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your esteemed favor of the 24th ult., and also the first one
hundred pages of your forthcoming "History of the 48th Ohio."
I have read those pages with great interest and satisfaction,
and I take great pleasure in bearing testimony to the uniform
good conduct and unwavering valor of the 48th Ohio, both officers
and privates, that composed a part of the Brigade which I had
the honor of commanding. All the incidents and circumstances of
the commencement and progress of the terrible battle of Shiloh,
are still fresh in my memory. At the first alarm, our Brigade
was ordered to form on the color-line, and I rode forward to the
picket-line and found the enemy advancing in strong force, driving
our pickets. I immediately rode back through our Brigade-line
to Gen. Sherman's Headquarters, and informed him that I had been
to the front and found the enemy advancing in great force and
our pickets falling back, and asked him what orders he had to
give me. He answered: "You must reinforce the pickets and
keep the enemy back." On my return, I met Col. Sullivan and
Lieut. Col. Parker, of the 48th Ohio, riding to meet me, and when
I informed them what my orders were, they both asked permission
to take the 48th to the front, which I readily assented to, and
directed them to march their Regiment with as much speed as possible
across the bridge immediately in front of the Regiment, which
was done with the utmost promptness. But, as stated in your History,
the enemy were already forming a line on our side of the creek,
below the bridge, concealed from our view by the high bank. The
whole Brigade was at once advanced, and the battle commenced in
deadly earnest all along the line. No more courageous fighting
was ever done than was done by the 48th, 70th and 72d Ohio regiments
during the next two hours. We drove the enemy back repeatedly,
and held our line until ordered back to the Purdy road. I do not
think our Brigade has ever received from the public the credit
it deserved for that first two hours' fight.

"Although our ranks were constantly being terribly cut
to pieces, there was no flinching in the officers or privates.
We were ordered by Gen. Sherman to hold our position, and were
determined to do it, and did, until ordered back. I consider it
the greatest honor of my life that I commanded the Fourth Brigade
in Gen. Sherman's division, composed of the 48th, 70th and 72d
Ohio regiments, at the great battle of Shiloh. No braver men ever
defended their country on the battlefield. I am, with great respect,

"Your sincere friend,
"R. P. BUCKLAND,
"Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols."

------------------------

"LANCASTER, KY., Feb, 6, 1880.

Maj. J. A. Bering and Capt. Thos. Montgomery:

"I regret that it is not in my power to furnish copies of
my official reports of the engagements in which my brigade participated
during the war. The 48th Ohio was assigned to my command at Memphis,
Tenn., in December, 1862, and composed a part of my brigade until
after the Red River campaign. It participated in the movement
under Gen. W. T. Sherman against Chickasaw Bayou, in front of
Vicksburg, at Arkansas Post, and under Gen. Grant at Port Gibson,
Baker's Creek, Black River Bridge, the sieges of Vicksburg and
Jackson, and under Gen. T. E. G. Ransom, at the battle of Sabine
Cross-Roads. In all of the engagements named herein, no regiment
of which I have any knowledge, during the late war, bore a more
honorable or conspicuous part than the 48th Ohio. It was a regiment
upon which I could depend at all times, and under all circumstances,
for just what was needed. It was under excellent discipline, and
always ready at a moment's warning, to drill, march, or fight.
I had no trouble with either officers or men, and do not remember
an unpleasant word that ever passed between myself and any of
that command.

"At the siege of Vicksburg, on the 22d of May, they were
among the first to reach the intrenchments of the enemy, and planted
their flag by the side of the 77th and 130th Illinois, upon the
Confederate works; which portion they held until recalled late
at night, by order of the Corps Commander. I was always proud
of the Regiment, and thankful to Gen. A. J. Smith, for giving
me a command composed of such splendid material. Ohio, Illinois
and Kentucky stood side by side, and it was a noticeable fact,
that whenever the enemy got in our way, some of them were sure
to get hurt, unless they managed to get out of it very soon. I
always tried hard to take good care of the men, and have them
ready for any emergency; and I think the reports of the Division,
Corps, and Army commanders, will show that the old second brigade
of Gen. A. J. Smith's Division, made a very creditable record
in the grand old Army of the Tennessee.